Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a privilege to give my sympathies to the Bruton family this afternoon, especially to his wife, Finola, to his son and three daughters, and to Richard, his brother, our long-standing friend here in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party. I got to know John Bruton in the late nineties when I became involved in Fine Gael in County Wexford. I might not have been elected to this House only for John Bruton because when John ceased being leader of the Fine Gael Party, Ivan Yates stepped down from politics. That had not always been his plan. If John had remained as leader, he would have stood in the 2002 general election. I am not sure whether the country was lucky to have got Paul Kehoe or unlucky to have lost Ivan Yates.

I was an absolutely fantastic admirer of John Bruton, the statesman in every way. He gave his life to public service. I had the honour of visiting him while he was in Washington as ambassador. One thing I always remember about John was his genuine and meaningful interest in your career. That is not just a by-the-way comment. He inquired in a meaningful, genuine way about how we were getting on in the constituency and in the Dáil. I was privileged to have spent 2002 to 2004 here while he was a Member of this House.

More importantly, one area I think a huge number of the silent majority remember John for was his very strong Christian values. Throughout his entire public life he wore those values on his sleeve. He was not ashamed of them. One of the things people have mentioned to me since they heard of his passing has been his strong Christian values and how proud he was of those.

May John rest in peace. Finola and the family, Richard and Mary will be in our thoughts and prayers over the coming days because it is not easy losing a brother, a husband and a father. I have been through it. It is difficult but I know that everybody will be thinking of them and the family over the next few days and beyond.

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